The Effects of Alcohol on the Visual and Ocular Motor Systems

Gayle Wilson, DipAppSc (Cumb), DOBA

Alcohol is generally considered to be a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. This effect is progressive from higher cortical centres through to fundamental body functions. The effect of alcohol ingestion on the visual and ocular motor systems of ten healthy subjects was the basis of this study. Significant changes in the following, resulted from the ingestion of 0.375g/kg body weight of 10% ethanol alcohol:
i. prism measurements of deviations for near and distance
ii. ocular movements
iii. convergence near point
iv. visual acuity at 6m
No significant change was observed following tested of stereopsis of near visual acuity.